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From Radio Online: Benztown has produced an audio tribute to Rock andamp; Roll Hall of Famer Dickey Betts, legendary songwriter, guitarist and co-founder of the Allman Brothers Band, who died Thursday at age 80, at his home in Osprey, FL, surrounded by his family. Listen to the audio tribute to Dickey Betts

From Radio Online: Spanish-language media company Nueva Network inks a partnership with Zeno Media to unveil the new digital platform, Nueva Plus. Since its inception in March, 2021, Nueva Network has delivered Spanish-language media content, reaching Latinos across the U.S. through radio networks and social media. The launch More...

From Radio Insight: The fourth and final day of Nielsen Audio’s PPM releases for the month bring Austin, Raleigh/Durham, Indianapolis, Nashville, Milwaukee, Jacksonville, Providence, Norfolk, Greensboro/Winston-Salem, West Palm Beach, Memphis, and Hartford. All the numbers can be found at RadioInsight.com/Ratings. AustinWaterloo Media Variety Hits “103.5 Bob-FM” KBPA sets another record high up 12.1 to 12.2. Public News/Talk 90.1 KUT-FM continues its four month rise 7.4 to 8.4 for what Ratings Expert Chris Huff notes is its largest share since September 2021. iHeartMedia Country 98.1 KVET-FM jumps 5.7 to 6.8. Audacy AC “Majic 95.5” KKMJ holds at a 5.9 share. Public AAA 98.9 KUTX jumps up 3.0 – 4.1 – 5.0 (KUTX’s stream up 0.3 to 0.7). Waterloo Media News/Talk 590/99.7 KLBJ falls 5.7 – 5.1 – 3.8. Audacy Hot AC “Mix 94.7” KAMX is down 4.7 – 3.9 – 3.4. iHeartMedia CHR “96.7 Kiss-FM” KHFI slides 4.4 – 4.2 – 3.4. Waterloo Media Regional Mexican “107.1 La Z” KLZT rises 2.7 – 3.2 – 3.4. Recharge Media Variety Hits “96.3 Jack-FM” 1490 KJFK gains 1.0 – 1.2 – 2.0. Raleigh/DurhamCapitol Broadcasting AC “Mix 101.5” WRAL-FM rises 7.9 to 9.2. Public News/Talk 91.5 WUNC-FM is up 8.5 to 8.7. Radio One Adult R&B “Foxy 107.1/104.3” WFXC/WFXK drops 11.2 to 8.6. iHeartMedia Conservative Talk 106.1 WTKK is down 8.0 to 7.3. Curtis Media Classic Hits “Kix 102” WKIX-FM/WKXU/WKJO rises 6.8 to 7.1. Curtis Media Variety Hits 96.1 WBBB climbs 4.9 – 5.3 – 5.5. Curtis Country 94.7 WQDR rises 4.2 to 5.4, and Curtis CHR “Pulse-FM” 96.9 WPLW is up 2.7 – 2.8 – 3.3. Radio One Classic Hip Hop “K97.5” WQOK is up 3.5 to 4.0. iHeartMedia Classic Rock 100.7 WRDU dips 4.6 to 4.0. IndianapolisRadio One Adult R&B 106.7 WTLC-FM rises 8.8 to 9.3 which Huff notes is a new record high for the station. Radio One AC “B105.7” WYXB rebounds 6.8 to 8.2. iHeartMedia Classic Rock “Q95” WFBQ holds at a 6.8 share. Cumulus Media Classic Hits 104.5 WJJK slides 7.6 – 7.2 – 6.7. Cumulus Country 95.5 WFMS holds at a 6.1 share. Public News/Talk WFYI gains 4.6 to 5.6. ST Media AAA 92.3 WTTS trends down 6.3 – 5.3 – 4.7. Radio One Hip Hop “Hot 100.9” WHHH rises 3.0 – 4.2 – 4.5, while iHeartMedia’s competing “Real 98.3” WZRL is up 1.7 – 2.0 – 2.3. EMF Christian AC “K-Love” 101.9 WKLU jumps 3.1 to 4.2. iHeartMedia Classic Alternative “Indy 103.3” WOLT drops 5.3 to 4.0. Radio One Sports “107.5/93.5 The Fan” WIBC-HD2 is down 3.7 – 3.0 – 2.6. NashvilleMidwest Communications AC “Mix 92.9” WJXA retains its lead but down 12.8 to 9.9. Midwest Variety Hits “96.3 Jack-FM” WCJK dips 7.1 to 6.8 to tie for second with iHeartMedia Classic Rock “105.9 The Rock” WNRQ (6.5 to 6.8). Cumulus Media Sports “104.5 The Zone” WGFX rebounds 4.9 to 6.6, while sister Conservative Talk “99.7 WTN” WWTN trends up 3.9 – 5.4 – 5.7 – 6.5. Cumulus Media’s “103.3 Country” WKDF drops 7.5 to 6.1. iHeartMedia Country “The Big 98” WSIX is down 5.7 to 4.8. Cumulus Classic Country “95.5 Nash Icon” WSM-FM rises 3.1 – 3.6 – 3.8. Cromwell Rock “102.9 the Buzz” WBUZ-FM climbs 2.8 – 3.2 – 4.5. Cumulus Adult R&B “92Q” WQQK is up 3.1 – 3.4 – 4.0. EMF Christian AC “K-Love” 97.1 WLVU is up 2.8 – 3.4 – 3.6. Cromwell Sports “102.5 The Game” WPRT-FM swings 2.3 – 1.5 – 2.3. AAA 91.1 WNXP moves 1.0 – 0.6 – 1.2. Ryman Hospitality Talk/Classic Country 650 WSM returns to the public survey at a 0.7 share. MilwaukeeiHeartMedia Conservative Talk 1130 WISN maintains its Milwaukee lead holding at a 9.0 share. Saga Classic Rock “Hometown Rock 96.5” WKLH trends up 7.0 – 7.9 – 8.1. iHeartMedia Classic Hits “95.7 Big-FM” WRIT-FM is off 7.1 to 6.9. iHeart Country “FM 106.1” WMIL-FM drops 5.9 to 5.2. Audacy Hot AC “99.1 The Mix” WMYX is down 5.9 to 5.0. Saga Adult R&B “Jammin 98.3” WJMR rises 3.0 – 3.6 – 4.0, while sister “Pure Oldies 106.9” WRXS is up 2.2 – 2.8 – 3.1. Audacy Hip Hop “Hot 105.7” WXSS-HD2 is up 1.2 – 1.3 – 1.7. JacksonvilleCox Media Group Classic Rock “96.9 The Eagle” WJGL trends up 8.5 – 11.3 – 11.5 – 12.2 for what Huff notes is a new high for the signal. Renda AC 96.1 WEJZ is up 10.5 to 10.6. Cox News/Talk 104.5 WOKV-FM is down 8.9 to 8.3. iHeartMedia Adult R&B “V101.5” WSOL falls 7.4 to 6.6. iHeart Country 99.1 WQIK inched up 6.3 to 6.4. Cox Soft AC “Easy 102.9” WEZI is down 6.0 to 5.0, with its stream up 1.2 to 1.4. iHeartMedia Rock “107.3 Planet Radio” WPLA-FM climbs up 3.4 – 3.9 – 4.8. Cox Hip Hop “Power 106.1” WJGL-HD2 slides 2.0 – 1.9 – 1.2. ProvidenceiHeartMedia Rock 94.1 WHJY reclaims the market lead up 7.0 – 9.1 – 9.4, which Huff notes is its first #1 since October 2022. Cumulus AC “Lite 105.1” WWLI is down 9.9 to 8.5. Hall Communications’ “Cat Country 98.1” WCTK rises 7.9 to 8.4. iHeartMedia Classic Hits “B101” WWBB is up 6.0 to 6.3. Cumulus News/Talk 630 WPRO/99.7 WEAN slips 6.8 to 6.2. Cumulus CHR “92 Pro-FM” WPRO-FM trends up 4.5 – 5.1 – 5.2. Norfolk/Virginia BeachAudacy Adult R&B “95.7 R&B” WVKL holds its lead down 11.2 to 9.8. Sinclair Variety Hits “93.7 Bob-FM” WNOB holds at a 7.3 share. Audacy AC “101.3 2WD” WWDE slides 8.2 – 7.9 – 7.1. iHeart Hip Hop “103 Jamz” WOWI rises 5.0 – 5.6 – 6.4. Max Media Country “97.3 The Eagle” WGH-FM trends up 4.8 – 5.6 – 6.3. Max Media AC “92.9 The Wave” WTWV-FM jumps 4.5 to 5.5. Saga Rock “FM 99” WNOR is down 5.3 to 4.8. Greensboro/Winston-SalemAudacy Adult R&B 97.1 WQMG is down 14.5 to 13.7. iHeartMedia AC “Mix 99.5” WMAG trends up 7.2 – 8.4 – 9.7. Audacy Variety Hits “98.7 Simon” WSMW is up 8.7 to 9.1. Audacy Rhythmic CHR “102 Jamz” WJMH drops 8.5 to 7.1. Dick Broadcasting Classic Rock “Rock 92” WKRR falls 7.1 to 5.9. Dick CHR 107.5 WKZL climbs up 3.5. – 3.7 – 4.3. iHeartMedia Classic Rock “Real Rock 105.7” WVBZ gains 2.1 – 2.7 – 4.1, which Huff notes is its largest share since August 2019. iHeartMedia Country “Q104.1” WTQR slides 5.3 – 4.7 – 3.8 to tie Audacy’s “93.1 The Wolf” WPAW-FM as it is up 3.7 to 3.8. West Palm BeachiHeartMedia AC “Kool 105.5” WOLL surges up 5.6 – 6.9 – 7.7 to claim the West Palm Beach lead. Hubbard Hot AC 97.9 WRMF slides down 8.9 – 8.5 – 7.5. Hubbard Adult R&B “X102.3” WMBX is down 7.4 to 6.4. Hope Media Group Christian AC “Way-FM” 88.1 WAYF jumps 3.5 to 4.4. Hubbard Country 103.1 WIRK dups 4.6 to 4.4. Hubbard Classic Hits “Sunny 107.9” WEAT slips 5.4 – 4.8 – 4.0. iHeartMedia Classic Rock “98.7 The Gator” WKGR rises 3.0 – 3.4 – 3.7. Glades Media Regional Mexican “La Ley 99.5” WLLY drops 2.5 to 1.8. MemphisiHeartMedia Adult R&B “V101” KJMS dips 11.3 to 10.8. iHeart Hip Hop “K97” WHRK jumps up 7.4 – 8.2 – 9.2 to tie for second with Audacy AC “104.5 The River” WRVR as it rises 8.6 – 9.0 – 9.2. iHeartMedia Gospel “95.7 Hallelujah-FM” WHAL-FM slides 10.0 – 9.5 – 8.5. Audacy Country “99.7 The Wolf” WLFP rises 4.2 to 5.0. iHeartMedia R&B Oldies 1070 WDIA slides 4.4 – 3.4 – 3.2. Audacy Sports “ESPN 92.9” WMFS-FM is down 3.2 – 2.5 – 2.3. iHeart Classic Rock “Rock 102” KWNW is down 2.8 – 1.5 – 1.4. Cumulus Media and Flinn continue to not subscribe in Memphis. HartfordAudacy takes four of the top five spots. AC “Lite 100.5” WRCH maintains its lead 10.6 to 8.7, which Huff notes is its lowest share since August 2015. Hot AC 96.5 WTIC-FM slides 10.0 – 9.4 – 8.5. Hip Hop “Hot 93.7” WZMX rises 6.4 – 6.9 – 8.3. iHeartMedia Classic Hits “105.9 The River” WHCN holds at a 7.6 share. Audacy News/Talk 1080 WTIC is up 5.7 to 6.2. iHeartMedia Country 92.5 WWYZ is down 6.7 to 6.0. Full Power Radio Alternative “Radio 104.1” WMRQ is up 2.2 to 2.7. iHeart Sports “Fox Sports 97.9” WUCS rebounds 1.4 to 2.1. more

From Radio Online: iHeartMedia in San Francisco names Dan Hunt (far left) as Program Director for CHR KYLD (WiLD 94.9) and Travis Loughran as Program Director of Hot AC KIOI (Star 101.3), effective May 15. Hunt joins the Bay Area cluster from co-owned WWPW (Power 96.1) in Atlanta, where he most recently served as the Program More...

From Radio Insight: About 40 minutes into the hour I was listening to on the UK?s non-commercial Top 40 BBC Radio 1,the midday team played a recurring Tuesday game called ?Mess with Melvin,? a variant on ?two lies and the truth.? Both stories involved acts playing Radio 1?s forthcoming Big Weekend festival. One involved Raye and Olly Alexander, the former lead singer of Years and Years. The other was about the headliner, Coldplay. The fake story was that Alexander discovered Raye after hearing her demo tape at a house party; it sounded entirely credible until co-host Rickie mentioned that he then found her sleeping under a pile of coats. The true story was that ?Yellow? took its name from a nearby copy of the Yellow Pages. But hearing Coldplay casually mentioned as the headliner of a Top 40 radio-station show that also featured Sabrina Carpenter, Teddy Swims, and Vampire Weekend is what got my attention. For the last three hours, I?ve been listening to the BBC?s Top 40 Radio 1, full-service AC Radio 2, and its Triple-A, Radio 6 Music. On 6 Music, American indie artist Julia Halter was being interviewed about the live in-studio session she was going to play the following hour. Radio 6 Music also played a track by the DJ/producer Nia Archives. When I listened to Radio 1, Rickie, Melvin & Charlie were excitedly front-selling a different track by her.* On Radio 2, which has famously contemporized in recent years, fill-in middayer Gary David was spotlighting a new single from the Libertines. There was also the ongoing Tracks of My Years bit in which TV fitness personality Joe Wicks was talking about key songs in his life. ?Gone? by Jack Johnson reminded him of a trip to Australia when he had finally bonded with his dad as an adult. ?When You Were Young? was because of a bike trip with his brother when they inadvertently wandered into a Killers set at a Spanish music festival. You hear a lot about music and artists listening to the BBC. The only thing comparable in terms of new (and old) music advocacy in America is Triple-A radio. Key to the BBC?s always-expanding series of music channels is Director of Music Lorna Clarke, who will be the keynoter at the second Radiodays North America, to be held in Toronto June 2-4.* Ross on Radio is on the road to RDNA 2024 with an ongoing series of spotlights on key panels and key topics to be covered there. We took a Fresh Listen to those three key stations. (There are now brand-extension channels such as Radio 1 Dance. There are more planned, which has created controversy among existing commercial broadcasters.) For more about RDNA, see the current full schedule of panels here. Read my interview with veteran programmer Ross Davies, who is now overseeing RDNA, here. Here?s Radio 1 at 11 a.m., April 9: Dua Lipa, ?Training Season? Kendrick Lamar, ?Humble? DJ Snake & Lil Jon, ?Turn Down for What? ? each team member had pitched a song choice, this was the winner Rachel Chinouriri, ?Never Need Me? ? female Modern AC; in general, there was a particularly noticeable indie pop/rock feel on this listen Frank Ocean, ?Pink + White? Michael Marcagi, ?Scared to Start? Nia Archives, ?Unfinished Business? Tame Impala, ?Is It True? The Weeknd, ?Blinding Lights? Madison Beer, ?Make You Mine? Declan McKenna, ?Beautiful Faces? ? sounded a lot like ?Sour Girl? by Stone Temple Pilots Maggie Rogers, ?Don?t Forget Me? Central Cee, ?I Will? Sub Focus, ?Off the Ground? Young Filly, ?Grey? Here?s Radio 2 during the same hour: Boomtown Rats, ?I Don?t Like Mondays? ? ?I should have played this yesterday,? said David Cat Burns, ?Alone? Madonna, ?Secret? Libertines, ?Be Young? Bruno Mars, ?Just the Way You Are? ? This was followed by a preview of Jeremy Vines? more topical midday show. Today?s show included a scandal involving an evangelist as well as garages that are so small that some drivers have to climb out through the trunk. That led to a story about the late BBC DJ Steve Wright, who once had to do just that. Griff, ?Miss Me Too? Jack Johnson, ?Gone? Killers, ?When You Were Young? Old Dominion w/Blake Shelton, ?Ain?t Got a Worry? ? Radio 2 has been known for championing Country in recent years, often songs that aren?t U.S. radio singles Chaka Khan, ?I?m Every Woman? Finally, here?s 6 Music at the same hour with Mary Anne Hobbs: Beth Gibbons & Rustin Man, ?Turn the Model? Mitski, ?Heaven? ? Hobbs announced her as headliner at the forthcoming All Points East festival, where 6 Music will have its own stage Richard Hawley, ?Two for His Heels? Nirvana, ?Aneurism? ? Hobbs crossplugged both a Kurt Cobain tribute, with interviews from Steve Albini and others, along with a Courtney Love ?Bad Gals? playlist Nia Archives, ?Bad Gyalz? Damian ?Jr. Gong? Marley & Nas, ?As We Enter? Joe Armon-Jones, ?Nubya?s Side of Town? MJ Cole, ?Crazy Love? Gil Scott-Heron & Jamie xx, ?I?ll Take Care of You? ? known to many more as the track behind Drake & Rihanna?s ?Take Care? John Grant, ?It?s a Bitch? Supremes, ?You Keep Me Hangin? On? Hagan, ?Waves? Real Estate, ?Airdrop? more

From Radio Insight: The Buffalo Broadcasters Association (BBA) is proud to announce a star-studded 2024 Broadcasting Hall of Fame. The class is led by network television producer/writer/actor Nick Bakay, nationally syndicated talk show host Stephanie Miller, former WGR-TV news anchor/reporter Sheila Murphy, former WKBW-TV reporter Mary Travers Murphy, former WGR 550 Sports Radio morning host Howard Simon, 97 Rock morning radio team Shredd & Ragan, WGRZ-TV videographer J. Dooley O?Rourke, former Director of National Sales for Buffalo/Toronto Public Media Jim DiMino. The President?s Award is being presented to Buffalonian and former broadcaster Ruth Ann Harnisch of the Harnisch Foundation. Local jingle writer Ken Kaufman will receive the Service to Media Award. The Buffalo Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame Dinner is Thursday, September 19th with cocktails at 5:30 p.m. and the program starting at 7:00p.m. at Samuel?s Grande Manor in Williamsville. Tickets can be purchased at www.buffalobroadcasters.com ?Our Hall of Fame classes become more impressive every year,? said Steve Monaco, president of the Buffalo Broadcasters Association. ?Each inductee has made important contributions to broadcasting in Buffalo.? Here is a brief biography for each inductee. Nick Bakay is a proud Buffalonian. He has done almost everything on network television. He became widely known as a sports commentator on ESPN. He?s guest-starred many of TV?s biggest shows ranging from Seinfeld to Murphy Brown to That 70s Show. He?s also produced and/or written many major series including: King of Queens, Two And A Half Men, Mom, Komisky Method, Young Sheldon and Bookie. Stephanie Miller is host of the nationally syndicated Stephanie Miller Show. Her first radio experience involved doing comedy bits on Sandy Beach?s morning show. She then took an on-air job at WLVL in her native Lockport, where she quickly moved from evenings to afternoon drive to mornings. Stephanie later moved to Rochester to be part of the morning show at WCMF, before moving on to major markets including Chicago and New York City. She began her talk radio career at KFI in Los Angeles, then hosted afternoons at KTZN and evenings at KABC Radio. She started the Stephanie Miller’s Happy Hour podcast. Stephanie also is a stand-up comedienne, has had TV acting roles and she is a best-selling author. Sheila Murphy holds the distinction of being the first female TV news anchor, sharing the NewsCenter 2 set with Rich Kellman for several years. Sheila began her career as a hard-hitting, radio news reporter and anchor. She began her career at WYSL and by 1972 was working as a news reporter and anchor at WGR Radio. She then moved to the co-owned WGR-TV. In 1980, Sheila was the first woman to be elected as an At-Large member of the Buffalo Common Council. She later was named Assistant Secretary of State for the Western New York Region. Sheila returne to radio later in her career at WBEN. Mary Travers Murphy is best-known for her work on WKBW-TV as a reporter, anchor, and consumer advocate for the station?s Action 7 franchise from 1985-2005. Since 2010, Mary has served as Chief Executive Officer of the Erie County Family Justice Center, a position from which she retired in 2023. Mary is married to Buffalo Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame Member, John Murphy, the longtime Buffalo Bills Radio Network broadcaster. Howard Simon was already active in broadcasting while attending Buff State, working at his college station, WBNY, most notably working in sports. After graduation, he worked in Elmira and Toledo, before returning to the Buffalo area. Howard worked at WJJL, WBEN and the Empire Sports Network and moved to WNSA when it became an all-sports station. Howard joined WGR in 2004, where he remained until retiring in 2023. During his career, he covered four straight Super Bowl appearances for the Bills, the Sabres in the Stanley Cup Finals, all four of the big four schools in NCAA tournaments, the Bandits winning titles, the Bisons winning a title. Shredd & Ragan The show, hosted by Ted ?Shredd? Kasten and Tom Ragan has been a mainstay in Buffalo for 30 years, achieving consistent ratings success. Ted and Tom worked in Buffalo Radio for several years prior to becoming a duo. Starting at the 1994 launch at WEDG-FM (103.3 The Edge), the built a show based on humor, characters, and current events. Ted and Tom also became famous for stunting and creating events for their listeners and the community. In addition to national recognition, the show as consistently been the winner of Artvoice?s Best Radio Show in Buffalo award. In 2021, the team was moved to sister station WGRF-FM (97 Rock), where they continue to enjoy ratings success. J. ?Dooley? O?Rourke began as an intern at WGRZ-TV. The station soon became his career home. In 1984, Dooley worked on NewsCenter 2 Overnight, giving him the opportunity to begin shooting news. Later in his career, he evolved into a complete storyteller as both the reporter and videographer becoming a multi-media journalist, long before it was standard practice. He retired in early 2024, as an award-winning photojournalist. Dooley on many awards from the NYS Associated Press Association, New York State Emmys, RTDNA, Edward R. Murrow Award, National Association of Black Journalists and National Press Photographers Association. Jim DiMino recently wrapped up 26 years with Buffalo/Toronto Public Media where he served in a number of roles including Director of National Sales, Sales Manager, and Corporate Sales. Jim started his broadcasting career as an account executive at WYSL/WPhD in 1977, and moved to WGR-AM and WGR-TV where he was a local sales manager. He later became VP/General Manager at WBUF-FM, before heading to Syracuse as VP/General Manager and General Sales Manager at WXRA-AM/WEZG-FM. Jim then returned home to Buffalo as Local Sales Manager at WUTV/WNYB. He also served in sales management capacities for the Buffalo Sabres and Empire Sports. Jim?s career has reached into six decades, a career in which he is still engaged as President of JD Media Consultants. The Buffalo Broadcasters Association Hall of Fame Induction Ceremony will be held on Thursday, September 19th at Samuels Grande Manor 8750 Main Street in Williamsville. Cocktails and dinner will begin at 5:30 p.m. and the ceremony starts at 7:00 p.m. Tickets can be purchased at https://buffalobroadcasters.com. more

From Radio Insight: With Mark Adams relocating to “Z100” WHTZ New York on May 1, iHeartMedia has appointed new Program Directors for CHR “Wild 94.9” KYLD and Hot AC “Star 101.3” KIOI San Francisco. Dan Hunt comes to San Francisco from Atlanta where he had been programming CHR “Power 96.1” WWPW until this week’s frequency swap. Hunt is a member of iHeart’s national CHR brand team and has also programmed “Wired 96.5” WRDW-FM Philadelphia and “Hot 106.3” WWKX Providence. Travis Loughran rises to PD at KIOI. He has been serving as APD/MD at KYLD and KIOI since 2005 and 2009 respectively. After staring his career at KSRO Santa Rosa CA, he later served in multiple roles at Rhythmic CHR “B95” KBOS Fresno including Imaging Director, morning show producer, and Music Director. After a year programming Hip Hop “103.5 The Bomb” KBMB Sacramento, he also had a stint as Morning Show Production Director at “Hot 97” WQHT New York prior to joining KYLD in 2005. Don Parker, iHeartMedia San Francisco SVP/Programming, stated, “I?m thrilled to welcome Dan Hunt to WiLD 94.9 and to reward Travis? hard work and dedication to iHeartMedia/San Francisco with this well-deserved promotion to PD of Star 101.3. Both have a long track record of success at iHeartMedia, as well as previous programming positions prior to joining the company. I look forward to their leadership of these two iconic San Francisco brands.? Both will report to Parker and start in their new roles on May 15. more

From Radio Online: Premiere Networks and syndicated radio personality Elvis Duran have announced the addition of "Give It A Chance with Kevin Devine and Casey Jost" to the Elvis Duran Podcast Network. The new weekly podcast will launch Thursday, April 25 on the iHeartRadio app and everywhere podcasts are heard. In each More...

From Radio Online: MediaCo, which owns WQHT-FM (Hot 97) and WBLS-FM in New York, has agreed to acquire Hispanic broadcaster Estrella Media, encompassing all network, content, digital and commercial operations but excluding its local radio and television stations for now. The deal, which was finalized on April 17, includes More...

From Radio Online: Triton Digital has released its March 2024 (February 26-March 31), U.S. Podcast Ranker. SiriusXM Podcast Network remained in the #1 spot on the Top Sales Networks Report for the month of March, with 42.5 million Average Weekly Downloads and 13.2 million Average Weekly Users. NPR came More...

From Radio Online: PodcastOne's podcast "The Adam Carolla Show," hosted by comedian Adam Carolla, is celebrating its 15th Anniversary. Carolla, who was inducted into the 6th Annual Podcast Hall of Fame during Podfest Expo earlier this year, launched his eponymous show in 2009. The Podcast Hall of fame More...

From Radio Insight: Nilufer ‘Nil’ Arsala has departed her multiple roles at North Texas Public Broadcasting after five years. Arsala has most recently served as Director of Radio Operations for Public News/Talk 90.1 KERA-FM, AAA “91.7 KXT” KKXT and Classical 101.1 WRR Dallas. She also hosted middays and the local music show at KKXT and previously was Technical Director for KERA-FM’s “Think with Krys Boyd”. She had a previous tenure at the KERA-FM/KKXT from 2009-11 and has also held roles at Southeastern Oklahoma Broadcasting, Perry Broadasting Oklahoma City, and Agape Broadcasting Foundation’s 89.3 KNON Dallas. She stated in a farewell post, ?KERA/KXT has been my work home for almost 5 years now, but actually longer than that! I first worked here from 2009-2011, and then came back again. So, I?ve spent a LOT of time on KERA, KXT, KERA TV, and more recently, WRR. It really feels like I?ve grown up at this station and with listeners, members, volunteers, and coworkers that feel like family. It has been such an honor to help spotlight the arts and music community here in North Texas and it is an experience that I am truly grateful for. Thank you for all the kindness you have shown me and for spending your days with me on the radio. DFW has been my home for the past 16 years and I will hold it in my heart as I start a new chapter out of state (I?ll share more on that soon!) and continue my passion for music discovery.” more

From Radio Insight: MediaCo Holding, owners of Hip Hop “Hot 97” WQHT and Adult R&B 107.5 WBLS New York, have announced the acquisition of assets from Estrella Media. MediaCo acquired Estrella Media’s “EstrellaTV” network, four digital streaming TV channels “EstrellaTV”, “Estrella News”, “Cine EstrellaTV”, and “Estrella Games”, and the EstrellaTV app with the deal closing on Wednesday. The deal will also see MediaCo provide programming to Estrella Media’s local radio and television stations, whose broadcast licenses will continue to be held by Estrella Estrella Media owns twelve radio stations in Dallas, Houston, Los Angeles, and Riverside/San Bernardino: Dallas: Regional Mexican “La Raza 93.7” KNOR Krum, Spanish CHR “Luna 98.3” KBOC Bridgeport, and Regional Mexican Oldies “La Ranchera 106.7” KZZA Muenster Houston: Regional Mexican “La Raza 98.5” KTJM Port Arthur/101.7 KNTE Bay City, Norte?o “El Norte 107.9” KQQK Beaumont, and 850 KEYH Houston Los Angeles: Regional Mexican “Que Buena 94.3/105.5” 94.3 KBUA San Fernando, 94.3 KEBN Garden Grove, and 105.5 KBUE Long Beach and Brokered Vietnamese 1480 KVNR Santa Ana Riverside/San Bernardino: Regional Mexican “Que Buena 96.1” KRQB San Jacinto MediaCo has also selected Jacqueline Hern?ndez as its new Interim CEO. Hernandez had been operating New Majority Ready, a multicultural marketing and content strategy company that she founded in 2019, and has held executive roles at Time Magazine, Turner Broadcasting, Combate Americas, and NBC/Universal as well as Publisher of People Magazine en Espanol and Teen People, COO of Telemundo. She also serves or has served as a board member for companies including Estrella Media, RedBox, and Victoria’s Secret. She stated, “This combination of tested media brands and talented teams will fuel growth of content and distribution for the benefit of our multicultural audiences. We believe this combination is the first step in building a unique multicultural media company that will reach diverse U.S. audiences wherever they choose to consume content and create value for marketers working to reach these important audiences.? MediaCo Chair Deb McDermott added, ?This leverages the strengths of two great companies to build something new. We are committed to representing and serving the Hispanic marketplace, as well as continuing to represent and grow the diverse audience that MediaCo already serves. We see a need for media brands to embrace opportunities with all audiences, and Estrella Media is a key part of our growth strategy.? MediaCO President/COO Kudjo Sogadzi commented, “?Today marks the beginning of an exciting journey for MediaCo. As we embark on this next chapter, we see a great opportunity to combine our strengths and capabilities to redefine how we deliver media to our diverse audiences.? “This is a natural next step in the evolution of Estrella Media?s content operations to better serve our important U.S. Hispanic audience,” said Peter Markham, CEO of Estrella Media. “This transaction helps secure a bright and growing future for MediaCo to become the preeminent media company serving the multicultural audiences who drive ad spend ROI and brand growth.” MediaCo also has an option to purchase Estrella Media’s station licenses at a later date pending regulatory approval. The deal is structured with Estrella Media’s parent company Estrella Broadcasting receiving a warrant to purchase up to a total of 28,206,152 newly issued shares of MediaCo Class A Common Stock, exercisable at an exercise price of $0.00001 per share; $60 million of newly issued shares of MediaCo Series B Preferred Stock that will accrue dividends at a rate of 6.0% per annum; a $30 million second lien term note with a five-year term and an interest rate of SOFR + 6.0% per annum; and approximately $30 million in cash. Should MediaCo exercise its option for the station licenses, Estrella Broadcasting would receive an additional 7,051,538 newly issued shares of MediaCo Class A Common Stock. MediaCo received a $45 million first lien term loan facility from WhiteHawk Capital Partners to pay for the transaction with #35 million being drawn at closing. Estrella also designated three people to MediaCo’s board of directors. Prior to the consummation of the transaction, Standard General converted all of the outstanding shares of MediaCo Series A Preferred Stock into a total of 20,733,869 shares of newly issued shares of MediaCo Class A Common Stock in accordance with the terms of the Series A Preferred Stock. MediaCo is filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission a Current Report on Form 8-K that will provide additional detail regarding the transaction. Fried, Frank, Harris, Shriver & Jacobson LLP and Pillsbury Winthrop Shaw Pittman LLP served as legal counsel to MediaCo in connection with the transaction. RBC Capital Markets, LLC served as exclusive financial advisor to Estrella Broadcasting and Paul, Weiss, Rifkind, Wharton & Garrison LLP and Wiley Rein LLP served as Estrella Broadcasting?s legal counsel. Sidley Austin LLP served as legal counsel to WhiteHawk Capital Partners. more

From Radio Insight: iHeartMedia Country 96.3 KHEY El Paso TX has promoted promotions assistant and public affairs host Amber Banda to afternoon host. She has also worked for multiple community groups and as a nutritionist. Banda takes the timeslot from cluster VP/Programming Patti Diaz, who also continues in mornings at Rhythmic CHR “Power 102” KPRR alongside Mike Dee. more